The Tribeca Festival is kicking off its milestone 25th anniversary edition with some soul and star-power. Organizers announced on Thursday’s the festival’s feature and short film lineup. The opening-night selection will feature the world premiere of the HBO Original documentary Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World), directed by Questlove. While closing night will feature Alicia Keys: Girl From Hell’s Kitchen, about the multi Grammy winner and New York City native reflects on her childhood growing up in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen.
Many Oscar winners are heading to New York for the fest that will showcase 117 features film, including 102 world premieres including The Accompanist, starring Susan Sarandon and Aubrey Plaza; Happy Hours, written, directed, and starring Katie Holmes alongside Joshua Jackson; The Last Day, featuring Alicia Vikander and Wagner Moura; Rain Reign, with Paul Rudd and Jeremy Sisto; The Leader, starring Vera Farmiga, Tim Blake Nelson, Jim Parsons, and Simon Rex; Clean Hands, featuring Zach Braff; The Revisionist, with Alison Brie, André Holland, Tom Sturridge, and Dustin Hoffman; They Fight, starring André Holland alongside Wendell Pierce and Samira Wiley; In Memoriam, featuring Marc Maron; and Only What We Carry, which includes Sofia Boutella, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lizzy McAlpine, Simon Pegg, and Quentin Tarantino.
Highlights from the documentary slate include Born Melo, featuring Carmelo Anthony; Chris & Martina: The Final Set, with tennis icons Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova; and Bob and David Climb Machu Picchu, starring Bob Odenkirk and David Cross. Doc Meets World, reunites Rider Strong, Danielle Fishel and Will Friedle for the 30th anniversary of Boy Meets World.
Comedy figures reflect on politics in Playing POTUS, with Will Ferrell, Maya Rudolph, and Dana Carvey; while Mario explores the life of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. The 9/11-themed IX XI, directed by Sean Wilsey, presents twelve personal accounts tied to Tribeca’s origins.
Miss Representation: Rise Up features a post-screening conversation with Hillary Rodham Clinton, Safiya Noble, Nina Jankowicz, and Jim Steyer. Art-focused works include Jean-Michel, made with the Basquiat family, and The Symphony of Dance, which is followed by a performance from Derek and Hayley Hough.
Several musical performances will also take place during the festival, including post-premiere sets from Sara Bareilles, whose film Good Grief will have its world premiere, along with Peter Frampton, Mumford & Sons, The LOX, Magdalena Bay, and Noga Erez & Ori Rousso.
“Tribeca began 25 years ago as an act of healing, a mission to reunite our community through the power of storytelling,” said Jane Rosenthal, Tribeca Festival co-founder and co-chair in a statement provided to Gold Derby. “Today, that purpose feels more urgent than ever. As we navigate an increasingly divided world, the same spirit that rebuilt our city after 9/11 now fuels a new generation of artists and storytellers.
“This year’s incredible feature and short film lineup includes stories from filmmakers who make us think, feel, laugh, cry, and ask why. Tribeca remains dedicated to the artists’ voices and diverse perspectives that challenge us to see one another more clearly.”
